Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-12-05
REpuB11c, MONDAY EVENING DECEMBER s. 1897
LAST SPRINGS WAR CLOUD.
How the Germans Made Preparations "a
Advance Immediately UpOn France.

LAST SPRINGS WAR CLOUD.
How the G-rmans Made Preparations "a
Advance Immediately Upon France.
During last spring there was great ex.
citement along the Franco German bor.
der over the arrest Of Schnaebele. the
French commissioner. 1t was thought
at one time that the irritation caused BY
his arrest would lead to actual war
Many alarming reports were telegraphed
over the world at that time. But the
worst sensationalists in all Of their exag.
gcrations gave no picture which ap.
preached to the real situation along the
border. have learned since coming
into this part Of the country of the tire
mendo,,s preparations made by the Ger.
mans at that time to enter France. II
has never been published how near the
German army came TO crossing the Dor.
Der. have learned the story Of q most
eveniful night at Metz from the lips Of q
private soldier, a German of more than
ordinary education and experience. He
told me this story at Bonn. where he had
gone Just after he had finished his three
wears service. He was in the neighbor-
hood of Metz all through the border
troubles Of last spring. He said that at
the time Of the Schnaebele affair every
man in the German army was given to
understand that war was inevitable
Each man made his preparations to suit
such an emergency. Small traps were
packed up and letters written home as q
preliminary TO an active and desperate
campaign. 1t was the intention Of tine
German authorities TO strike France. il at
all. without a word of warning. and to
thereby secnre all the advantage that
could he obtained by swii:. powerful
and unexpected movement Of aggression
upon French territory.
Upon one occasion of that exciting
spring. late at night. there came dis
patch from Berlin which placed the Ger
man army on the frontier at once on the
9ni vive. Every man was turned out, the
horses Of the cavalry were all saddled
and men placed at their heads. Fifty
thousand horses were saidlei that night.
waiting second dispatch from Berlin.
Ny military friend says that there were
then upon the border and within twenty
four hours reach 200, 000 German sol
diers Fifty Thousand cavalrymen were
ready that night for rapid scurry across
the frontier. IL the imperial hand at
Berlin had pressed the electrical button
for the signal. instantly these 81. 900 men
would have dashed forward like holt.
and when morning came the world
would have been treated 10 the alarming
spectacle Of great German army on
French territory. If the sensationaliSts
could have only known then the story of
that night it is possible that the publica-
tiUn of its history would alone have pro-
vokcd war. But the Germans waited
silent and ready all through the dark
night without receiving any further word
from Berlin. Towards morning the
were put away and the men retired for
short rest. But the secret If the prepara,
ton was well kept. no word Of it reach
ing any French or foreign publication.
This night incident illustrates well tn.
German side of the war question. The
Germans know that the French have beel
for fifteen years to make them.
-elves strong. The Germans have, in
turn. worked with greater diligence t.
meet this growth of the French Then
future plan is to remain in this constant
condition Of energetic readiness. and, in
the event Of IA possible conflict. to- be Iht
irst y strike the blow. They are thor
,ughly well informed concerning every .
of the French, while the latte, I
10 not appear 10 have the same ability a.
he Germans Ia keep their secrets. Tn. |
Germans here say that they have II,
in finding out anything that tn, |
French are planning 10 do. The Who'll, |
ier,nan army favors another war. Thi |
: but natural. The officers look To 6
var for promotion and distinction. Bu' |
lie preparations along the frontier OF |
10Th sides are now So complete that thl |
-ery fact is strong guaranty in favor OF
eace. The German officers here 81,
hat the French detenses are by no mean,
S complete as they have been described
nd that they cannot for one momanl
withstand the onward march Of the Ger
mans if they should resolve again to in
ade France.
talked with number of German peo
lie before coming here. and find that th
usincss classes are opposed to war
heir taxes are now very high. The in
emnitv secured from France was jus
bout enough 10 compensate for tn,
,sses Of the army material during tn
'ar. More than this. the loss Of liz
pom the part of the Germans was ver'
re,t. | was told by a prominent Ger
,an banker the other day that upward o
90, 600 Germans died during the IL
ears which followed the var from tn,
fleets Of exposure and hardships Of tn,
campaign. Nnetecl
'ousand Germans fell near Metz TIr
rench are gallant fighters when wei
Il. and whenever the two sides wer
rouSht face 10 face the loss Of life WA,
cry great.-T. c. Crawford in New Ycrl
! orld.